Sifting Through Swamps Shifts in Af-Pak Theatre

摘要

No conflict is static and it changes with the time. It evolves with changing policies, interests, capabilities and competing interests of key players. All these factors influence a conflict and Af-Pak theatre is no different. The announcement of major U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 influenced the decisions of many regional and local players. Stripping down to basics, conflict in both Afghanistan and Pakistan has now evolved into a civil war. In addition to nation states, a growing number of non-state actors in both countries are becoming key players.